The invention relates to a roll stand for hot-rolling or cold-rolling metallic strips. The roll stand comprises back-up rolls and work rolls (2, 3; 4, 5) which are respectively positioned in chocks (6; 7) in a rotating manner. Each chock (6; 7) can be displaced on two sides in guiding devices (8) of the column frame (9) for adjusting the roll gap (10) and can be additionally displaced on at least one side for adjusting the play, by means of horizontal piston cylinder units (11) arranged in the column frame (9). The aim of the invention is to completely eliminate the play in the vertical guiding device (8) of the work roll chocks (6; 7) during the rolling. To this end, the chocks which are guided on at least one side of the column (9a) by means of the piston cylinder unit (11) arranged in the column frame (9) and by means of one respective support element (14) which is arranged on the front side of the piston (11a), can be pressed against the other side of the column (9b) and the guiding device (8) thereof without play when the vertical roll positioning drive is stopped. and can be released when the vertical roll positioning device is switched on.